Category: Europe

Submitted by Amanda Flagg on the 2016 summer session program in Salamanca, Spain sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures…

Today is July 18^th. After class, I followed my normal routine and went home to eat lunch with my host parents. Instead of taking my normal siesta, I wanted to go to the library to get homework done and to study for my midterms. Because this week is in the middle of the academic month, I have a lot of assignments. I had asked our program director the library hours and location and she said that it was open for 24 hours. I felt independent and like a true Spaniard as I navigated my way back to the Old City where the University sits, I even stopped for ice cream to cool off a bit and enjoy on my walk. Fast forward 15 minutes and I had finished my ice cream, but I still hadn’t been able to find the library. I walked up to two women and asked them where it was. They didn’t know, but called over someone who did. They gave me directions and I walked while feeling accomplished that I could switch in between languages quickly.

I still couldn’t find the building, and I even asked a third person for help. This shop owner told me that it was the next door down (so close!) so I walked there only to find that it was locked. Combined with the heat of the middle of the day (it was 99 degrees), I started to feel frustrated and angry. Acknowledging that I was getting angry in such a beautiful place only made me more mad. I just wanted to study! I started to walk away when I noticed another girl also trying to open the door and I heard her make a disappointed sigh. In Spanish, I asked her if she was also trying to do work. She told me yes and we started talking. It turns out that she is one class away from being a professor at the University of Salamanca and is best friends with my Culture Professor, Yeray. She told me that there is a nice café, Manolita, around the corner and that she was going to go there. I asked her if I could tag along and she said yes. While walking, we had the best conversation about Salamanca and she told me that although I’ve only been here for a few weeks, my Spanish was excellent. I felt happy and confident again. The truth is, I still feel a little self-conscious when holding a conversation for a while, especially when I talk to a native speaker.

When we got to “Manolita” she told me that the reason she loved it so much was because it reminded her of “Central Perk” in the television show ‘Friends.’ My whole face lit up! I told her that not only did I love that show too, but that the University of Delaware has it’s very own ‘Central Perk’ on Main Street.

We both ordered coffee and worked for a few hours. Eventually, my new friend left and I stayed to relax and finish what I was doing. I also started to write in my personal study abroad blog. After reflecting for a moment, I realized that something I missed so far while being here was my alone time. Just sitting here in this café, I felt rejuvenated again. My heart strings are being pulled on here and I don’t want to leave. I feel comfortable in my own skin, even more so here. I remembered how happy I am when I explore on my own. I genuinely like talking to new people and developing friendships and connections.

The brief period of frustration and loss of direction was a blessing in disguise. Also, ‘Manolita’ has free wifi for as long as you’re there, unlike most cafés here that have an hour limit and you can only use the code for one device. Sure, I lost my way for a moment, but what I gained in a few short hours: a friend, a new, secret spot to study and relax, a feeling of comfort, was more than worth it!

Submitted by Mallory Metzner on the 2016 summer session program in Salamanca, Spain sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures…

Although I am studying abroad for my Spanish minor, I also got to hone my skills for both my fashion merchandising and mass communications majors. As both an aspiring fashion buyer and journalist, I have acquired an internship with CollegeFashionista as a Style Guru. My job is to find current trends within the college community, photograph them and then write one article per month about them. While studying abroad, Style Gurus have the option to write for the “Fashion From Abroad” column about styles they encounter outside of the United States. To keep up with my internship this summer, I did just that.

One day after class, the other girls on my trip and I dressed in our most appropriate clothes to blend in with the Spanish culture. Since temperatures peak in the 90’s everyday, the locals are often seen in lightweight, breezy clothing. Flowy pants, blouses, sun dresses and jumpsuits flourish on the streets of Salamanca in bright yellows, whites and peaches. Taking inspiration from the Balenciaga Summer Resort 2016 runway show, I slipped on my black and white flowy pants with a bright yellow tank top.

My friends followed along wearing vibrant dresses, skirts and rompers. We went to el Huerto de Calisto y Melibea as well as a cathedral for our photo shoot. The garden was most appropriate since it is the location where La Celestina, a work we read in Spanish literature class takes place. I was able to showcase how Americans and Spaniards share similar styles as my friends and I wore our clothes from home in this shoot. These styles just so happened to be nearly identical to some worn around Spain.

Upon arriving in Spain, I was quick to learn that the flip flops I had brought would do me no good. Most of the Salamantinos can be seen walking around in gladiator sandals for a good reason. My flip flops began to stress out my ankles and calves from the constant vibration of when they flopped against my heel as I walked. Not to mention, the strap gave me a blister. I went to a shoe store, Corina, and bought a pair of black leather gladiator sandals. Not only was the leather made exclusively in Spain, it was super comfortable and conformed to my feet as I wore the sandals. The neutral black color was a wise choice because they can be worn with every outfit that I had packed.

Determined to further my knowledge of Spanish fashion, not just the trends, I went shopping. Lucky for me, there were many rebajas (sales) to be found. I tried on several blouses at this little clothing store north of La Plaza Mayor and ended up buying a white tank top blouse with little blue cats all over it. I love cats and buy clothing with them on it in the U.S. so it was only fitting to get a shirt like this in Spain. It was my style in a new way.

On my birthday, I went to Zara, which is a popular European clothing company that originated in Spain. I bought a pink collared tank top, a cropped top and a halter-top onesie. Each of these matches the high-waisted denim shorts I also bought at Zara that day. These four items cost me less than 30 euros altogether. While onesies, cropped tops and high-waisted shorts are popular in America, they are nearly the same in Spain. The only thing I noticed was that the clothes are cut a bit differently. For example, my pink collared tank is not fit to form the body and therefore just hangs above my waistline. The onesie fits my body perfectly, but the elastic isn’t quite tight enough to keep from flopping forward. That being said, this article of clothing requires a tank top or bandeau to be worn underneath.

Another day out shopping with friends, we encountered a bohemian store not unlike those at home. Every jumpsuit and sundress was made out of a different patterned fabric. I had been meaning to try the jumpsuit trend since arriving in Salamanca, so I tried one on and instantly fell in love with the look and the comfort. It’s lightweight, flowy, easy to move in and the blue tribal pattern matches my eyes. The tag indicated that the company was called Zoe and that it was exclusively made in Mallorca, Spain.

The next shop that day to catch my eye had mannequins in the window, adorned in lace blouses, pastel colors and sequins. My friends pointed out that it definitely had my name written all over it. It was called Vestido de Vega. I tried on several items and ended up buying the purple sequined ¾ cardigan that had originally caught my eye. I matched it with a short sleeve white lace blouse. Everything was 30% off so this purchase was also under 30 euros.

On my weekend excursions to Portugal, and Barcelona, I observed the fashion trends there as well. In Portugal, there was handmade cork jewelry at every other store or little stand. I bought a bracelet for myself, my mom, each of my sisters and some friends back home.

In Barcelona, my friends and I decided to get really dressed up before going out to dinner that night. We learned that on Saturday nights, people wear their most glamorous clothes. Anything other than high heels for girls was seemingly against the norm. Most of us had tried to pack lightly for this excursion since it was only one weekend. However, in the same city in which both Fashion Week and America’s Next Top Model are held, we decided that it would be in our best interest to do a little shopping before the evening got started. There was a mall by our hotel and we bought new clothes and shoes at Zara and H&M. I was surprised to see that many popular stores in the U.S. also held a great influence over the fashion culture in Spain. Dressed up in black and shiny clothes with our highest heels, we went out in style that night.

On one of my last days in Salamanca, I bought a ring which I had been eyeing since my arrival. It is a botón charro and I had seen it on all kinds of jewelry. Supposedly it represents a flattened solar disk that used to be used to fashion clothing back in the 17^th century. In fact, it survived the Muslim domination that was going on during that time and is a symbol of what it means to be Salamantino. After falling in love with the city myself, I wanted something to represent that for me forever.

Seeking out fashion trends first helped me to dive into the Spanish culture by observing and then helped me interact by shopping. A huge part of studying abroad is interacting with the local culture and I did just that by going to Spanish and European stores and speaking Spanish with the salespeople. Two of them even complimented my Spanish speaking skills and I surprised myself by being able to hold a conversation with them in Spanish all throughout my purchases. I got to practice my Spanish, fashion and communication skills all in one within this study abroad program. As I leave to return to the United States today, I have no regrets, knowing that I just gained both the experience of a lifetime and a lot of newfound knowledge about myself.

Submitted by Amanda Flagg on the 2016 summer session program in Salamanca, Spain sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures…

While studying abroad in Salamanca, I am taking 3 courses:

• Lengua Española (2 hours; Ana Sanro)
• Cultura Española (1 hour; Professor Yeray González Plasencia)
• SPAN 455: Devils, Witches, and Students: Literature of Salamanca (an hour and 15; Dr. Cristina Guardiola-Griffiths)

Although I am taking 3 courses here, it gets counted as 2 for UD.

• SPAN 455: Devils, Witches, and Students: Literature of Salamanca
• SPAN 308: Culture of Spain (UD course offering)
  • The average of my culture and grammar classes

UD will average my first 3 credit hours and list one grade as SPAN 308. The grammar course is designed to strengthen my grammar so that I can perform better in my Culture Class. I like it because it gives me the opportunity to meet more students and be taught by different teachers. All students taking courses here are required to take a grammar course and have to take a placement exam the day before classes start. This is so that you are put into a class that will challenge you, but also refresh your memory of grammar rules. The levels range from 1-6 with 1 being the best position you could be in since it represents a complete fluency of the Spanish language. According to our Proctor, native speakers or students who utilize their Spanish everyday are placed here. Drum roll please… I tested into Level 2! I was and still am so excited and happy.

While abroad, I have the opportunity to be taught by three extremely passionate professors and teachers. My grammar teacher, Ana, is one of the most patient people I have ever met. This patience combined with her enthusiasm sets her apart from any other grammar teacher I’ve ever had. Only after sitting in her class for two days, I told my parents about her. I thought sitting in class for two hours and learning about grammar rules would be boring, but I haven’t felt that way yet and I believe that is entirely because of her. Before our mid-term, we played on a website called Kahoot, to prepare. We signed in on our phones and she had the questions on the projector screen and we just “buzzed in.” I think when you make a confusing topic fun, it is easier to learn and understand.

One of the students in my class is named Elliot and he is blind. Unlike most schools in the United States, he was not ‘pulled out’ of class and placed in a room with other students who may be struggling for different reasons. Instead, Ana will teach a concept and while talking, walk over to him and repeat it. When learning about the difference between hand and facial gestures in the United States and Spain, she said the word, and made the gesture on her own face so that we could watch. Then I watched in awe as she took Elliot’s hand and mimicked the movements on her own face. Then, while still holding his hand, had him do it to himself. The fear of germs, or not being able to come in contact with a student was not a second thought. It was a beautiful interaction to see and it made enough of an impact on me that I wanted to share it with anyone who cared to listen, including a few of the other students on this program.

During the second week, one of the directors of the school came in and told Elliot that he would be moved to the first floor and be taught by someone else. She did not give him an option. Although understanding, the way the director spoke to him did not hold the same genuineness that Ana talked with. I sat in my seat and watched as his face dropped and listened as he explained, in perfect Spanish, why he did not feel comfortable leaving. He felt comfortable in our class. It is clear that I’m not the only one that Ana left an impact on.

For my culture class, we focus on the cultural aspects of Spain (food, history, festivals, types of dance, etc.) My professor, Yeray González Plasencia makes the class extremely enjoyable by being so passionate about the subject and by incorporating fun activities into the curriculum. We played Jeopardy the first two days to learn the important facts about Spain. It was also genuinely enjoyable to learn because it was stuff that we were experiencing first-hand. One of the assignments we had to do was to do a presentation about any topic we wanted. We had the option to do an in-class presentation or work in small groups and film a video outside of class to show in class. I decided to do the latter and we focused on food and compared typical dishes, serving size, and meal times in Spain, to the United States and Portugal (one of the weekend excursions I did). It was fun because we met outside of class, ate together and filmed our video. It was another way to submerge ourselves in the culture. When each of us were presenting, Yeray laughed and smiled and you could tell just how proud of us he was. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced something like that before. I think sometimes in the stress and monotonous days in a classroom, it is easy for teachers to want to go through the motions. That was never the case in his classroom and I’ve gained an even greater appreciation for having the opportunity to learn.

Although, I cannot generalize this to all teachers in the United States or here, I do think and have noticed that there is a cultural divide between academics and curriculum between countries. In the United States, students get caught up in performing well and to do so, focus on memorization of facts and figures and do not have the opportunity to step back and appreciate what they are learning. In the same way, these teachers spew out the information continuously and can sometimes lack the support, passion or creative and fun ways of delivering it that their colleagues may have.

I know I have said it before, but I will say it again. I feel so honored to have the opportunity to be taught Spanish in Spain, and by some of the greatest teachers I have had the chance to learn from. I will take their passion for the language and their patient attitudes home with me and continue to exemplify them in my everyday life.

Submitted by Blair Sabol on the 2016 summer session program in Salamanca, Spain sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures…

Here in Spain, time has flown by. Yes it is quite cliché, but it hardly feels as though it has been weeks since I arrived at the airport in Madrid. Though the Spanish people enjoy taking leisurely strolls throughout their hometowns during the hot summer days, I feel as though I have had little time myself to gradually take it all in. It would be ideal to spend even more time here, however, the program is coming to a close. I have about a full day left here in Salamanca, so the process of taking advantage of everything this city has to offer is currently in full swing!

Last night, my friends and I headed out to the Plaza Mayor around 10:00 pm, which is a pretty normal summer activity here, considering that is the time when it has become cool enough to really enjoy the square and the amenities it has to offer. Instead of going out with no set plans, we joined the crowd this time to see the Symphonic Orchestra of Castilla y León perform in their 25th anniversary concert.

La Plaza Mayor never ceases to amaze me, I will most certainly miss this European tradition of gathering in the main square of town— and last night was no different. La Plaza was full of people, children, foreigners, students, even dogs, who were all gathered to enjoy the universal language of music. Undoubtedly, La Plaza is always beautiful at night, when the lights begin to flicker on at 9:45 pm and the sky darkens to highlight the crisp edges of the square. However, last night, I realized how amazing it was that everyone there was sharing the same story of Salamanca, despite our various origins, languages or purposes for being here.  I reveled in the unity of the hundreds of people gathered in La Plaza, understanding together the language of music, enjoying together this city for the 100^th time or for one of the last times (at least for now).